Comb cleaning device



Nov. 4, 1941. I F. D. HOGG 2,261,550

COMB CLEANING DEVICE Filed April 18, 1940 5 Sheets-Shet 1 INVENTORIFREDERICK memo/v HOGG ATTORNEIKS Filed April 18, 1940 3 Sheets-Sheet 2mvEmTo H my N m K% 5 v. 5 N c m WWW K A m P\ 5y 3 m Nov. 4, 1941. F. D.HOGG COMB CLEANING DEVICE 3 Sheets-Sheet 3 Filed April 18, 1940 N HOGGWW5 v. & m MT T A Patented Nov. 4, 1941 Application April 18, 1940,Serial No. 330,298 In Great Britain May 2, 1939 11 Claims.

This invention relates to an improved method of and a device forcleaning hair combs.

The chief object of the invention is to provide a simple and inexpensivedevice, particularly but not exclusively for use in hairdressingestablishments, for enabling a comb to be easily and quickly cleaned ina simple manner by. the use of a particular cleaning medium or fabric,so that the comb can be kept hygienic at practically no cost other thanthe original cost of the device and the cleaning medium or fabric whichis used.

The present invention therefore is concerned not only with the devicebut with the method which is involved and also the fabric which is usedas the cleaning medium.

According to the invention, the device which is provided, is in the formof a clamping frame and it is used in conjunction with a fabric striphaving longitudinal or warp threads and transverse or weft threads, insuch manner as to hold or clamp the strip at or around its edges oralong its borders, but in a stretched or taut condition with the middlepart of the strip unsupported so that the comb teeth can be forcedthrough the middle and unsupported part of the strip between the threadswhich thus encompasses each and every tooth of the comb, the transversethreads passing between the teeth so that the surfaces of the teeth arecleaned from the tips to the roots or bases as the teeth are forced anupward pull over the back of the comb, causes the transverse threads tobe forcibly drawn or pulled laterally from between the teeth, thusremoving any accumulation of dirt or the like from the closed ends ofthe spaces between the teeth.

Preferably the fabric strip is folded at one longitudinal edge and thefold serves to hold the transverse 01 weft threads at this edge toenable them to be'freed or separated from the adjacent longitudinal orwarp threads at the other edge or side of the strip as'aforesaid. Thefolded-over strip may be such as to provide two layers of the same widthto form a double strip which imparts greater stiffness to the strip andthe resistance needed for tearing or pulling it over the back of thecomb in the manner aforesaid. Further, the double or folded stripconstricts the spaces or openings between the threads as it is almostimpossible to obtain registration of the threads and openings in the twolayers, with the result that a closer contact of the threads around theteeth from the points upwards, can be effected. The strip may beimpregnated with a cleansing preparation having hygienic properties. Thecomb with the cleaning fabric attached thereto as a result of forcingthe comb teeth through it whilst completely through the fabric. As thetransverse threads can reach the closed ends of the spaces between theteeth, they can remove any accumulation of dirt or the like at thesepositions.

The removal of the dirt or the like adjacent the,-

roots or bases of the teeth, the point of accumu lation and the chiefsource of infection can be more thoroughly effected by the removal ofthe fabric strip from the teeth as hereinafter more fully set forth, andby reason of the, special form of the fabric which is preferably'usedand preferably conforms with what is known as scrim or gauze. The combwith the strip applied therepart, from the adjacent longitudinal threadsby 55 held in the clamping frame as herein described, can, when removedfrom the frame, be used as a combined comb and pad 01' brush which bothcombs and smooths the hair and can be used for the application of dyes,lotions or the like.

In order that the invention may be clearly understood and readilycarried into effect, the

same will now be more fully described with reference to the accompanyingdrawings, in which:

Figure 1 is a perspective View of one form of the frame of the improvedcomb cleaning device, which receives the cleaning fabric.

Figure 2 is a side view showing the frame just prior to being closed toclamp the cleaning fabric in the stretched or taut condition.

Figure 3 is a longitudinal sectional view of the frame closed to clampthe cleaning fabric in the stretched condition. I

Figure 4 is a plan view of the said frame as shown in Figure 3.

Figure 5 is an enlarged transverse sectional view taken on the line VVof Figure 4.

Figure 6 is an enlarged view showing a part of a comb with its teethforced into the fabric.

Figure '7 isa sectional plan view showing some of the comb teeth withthe fabric strands or threads around and between them.

Figure 8 is a diagram illustrating the form the fabric strip which ispreferably used,

Figure 9 is a sectional view showing the fabric strip removed from theframe but remaining on the comb to form the comb brush or padhereinbefore referred to.

Figure 10 illustrates the fabric strip after having been removed fromthe comb.

Figure 11 illustrates additional features hereinafter referred to.

The clamping device illustrated in Figures 1 to comprises an under framemember I which is mounted on supports 2 and is of channel section toprovide upstanding side walls 3 as shown in Figure 5, the said framemember I having a longitudinal slot 4 which provides an unobstructedpassage from end to end of the frame member I, as shown more clearly inFigure 3. This frame member I has a permanent set which gives it aslightly curved or convex formation as shown in Figures 2 and 3, and thesupports 2 are preferably of different heights as shown. At the higherend of the frame are provided lugs 'or the like to receive hinge pins 5of an upper ber 6 is of such width as to fit closely between the 0upstanding side walls 3 of the lower member I, and it is of such sectionas to provide a thicker central part I running along the length of themember 6 and adapted to fit closely in the slot 4 of the lower member,the side portions of this frame member 6 bearing on the upper surface ofthe channel sectioned lower member I Along the length of the uppermember 6 and extending completely through the thickened part I is a slot8 which is of such dimensions that any type or size of combs now in usecan pass completely through it. The upper frame member 6 is straight andtherefore normally rests on the lower member with its free end spacedaway from the member I, but by pressing on this free end, the member 6can be caused to conform with and fit in the lower memberto take up thecurved or convex formation and can be held in this position by a catchdevice which in the example shown is in the form of a slidable loop 92 6to engage with stops I0 on the upper part of the said member 6.

Having generally set forth the construction ofij the clamping device,the manner in which it is used and the improved method of cleaning acomb will now be described. A fabric strip indicated at H is providedfor the actual cleaning of the comb and it is preferably of a gauze-likecharacter as hereinbefore referred to. Preferably a double thickness ofthe material is used, for instance, by folding the material lengthwiseas indicated at Ha in Figure 8. The doubled fabric strip II is firstplaced to lie on the lower and upper frame members, may be serrated orotherwise formed or roughened to increase the grip around the edges ofthe fabric when it is clamped between the frame members. The comb to becleaned is now placed in the slot 8 with some of the ends of its teethresting upon the stretched gauze material or fabric II. By forcing thecomb downwardly its teeth penetrate the unsupported middle part of thefabric strip and as a result the capacity between the teeth, accordingto their fineness, will in every case have a full complement oftransverse threads (see Figure 7). In this connection be it noted thatthe folding or doubling of the cleaning medium or fabric as mentionedabove, constricts the openings of the underfold of the fabric, asprecise and exact overlapping or registration is not practicable, thusassuring forcible contact with and around the comb teeth from tip toroot and ensuring an effective cleaning of the teeth. By releasing theclip 9, the upper member 6 can be opened on its hinge to enable the combwith the fabric strip H remaining thereon to be removed. Figure 9 showsthe comb with the strip ll thereon, after having been removed from thesaid frame device. By tearing the strip lengthwise from the comb, overthe back thereof, the transverse threads llb in proximity to the freeedges of the doubled or folded strip are forcibly dragged or drawnbetween the teeth at the roots and are separated from the longitudinalthreads Hc thereby effecting thorough cleaning as the free portions ofthe transverse threads are pulled or drawn between the teeth in beingseparated from the longitudinal or warp threads at the free or outeredges of the strip. Figure 10 shows the double strip after having beendrawn over the comb back, the separated longitudinal and transversethreads being clearly illustrated. The warp may have say 25 doublethreads, whereas the weft has say about 25 single threads, and it isthis construction, plus the doubling over of the strip makingapproximately 50 weft threads but differently spaced with respect to thewarp threads, plus the proper sizing that makes the hold on the weftthreads at 'one edge or side strong enough to pull them clear of thelongitudinal threads and of the comb teeth as well. The fold-over of thestrip could be on the diagonal or on a bias. The fabric strip may besuitably impregnated with a hygienic substance, and it may be used in amoist condition or in a dry state. By using the device in the manneraforesaid and carrying out the method described, a comb can be readilycleaned after use, and in this way a comb can be kept hygienic and freshwith a minimum of trouble and very little cost. The fabric which may befolded or doubled as aforesaid can be supplied in out lengths or stripsready for insertion in the device and used in the manner specified, orit may be supplied in spool or roll form and cut as required. Figure 11illustrates an arrangement comprising a clamping frame as aforesaid,having a bracket or the like l2 for carrying a spool or roll l3 ofmaterial at the hinged part of the device. The strip preferably doubledor folded as aforesaid can be drawn from the roll and placed along theupper part of the member I. After being clamped or held in the stretchedcondition by retaining the end of the upper member by the clip device 9,the strip can be cut at at a position adjacent the hinge by means of aguillotine cutter I4 which severs the strip, leaving an end ready to bedrawn from the spool for use in the manner aforesaid. The device may beprovided with clips Za'on the supports 2 to enable a comb to be insertedbetween the clips and the supports and thus be conveniently held on thedevice ready for use. 1

If desired, a fabric strip can be applied to the combin a frame asaforesaid and the'comb when removed from the cleaning device with thefabric strip thereon, as indicated in Figure 9, can be used as a combbrush, the comb teeth being passed through the hair in the usual way sothat the strip II is caused topass over andsmooth the hair as it iscombed. This is primarily a hygienic measure with the object ofproviding an alternative to the public hair brush and this same systemmay be hygienically employed in the application of dyes, lotions, or thelike, as for one thing the retaining of the cleaning medium or fabric onthe comb prevents the dirt or the like reaching the root of the teethand for another when the same has served its purpose it is destroyed.

It is preferred to provide a doubled or folded strip as hereinbeforedescribed, but a single or unfolded strip can be used which permits ofthe separation or freeing of the transverse threads from thelongitudinal threads and the drawing of the free portions of thetransverse threads through the gaps or spaces between the comb teeth.For this purpose the border or edge of the strip which would be grippedby the hand in tearing the strip over the back of the comb will have asufficiency of the longitudinal or warp threads to lock or bind thetransverse or warp threads and to give purchase in the handling of thestrip. The opposite border or edge of the strip would have a less numberof longitudinal or warp threads (or weaker warp threads) so thatalthough these are sufficient to support the transverse or weft threads,the said lesser number or weaker warp threads can be readily released orbroken away to allow the adjacent portions of the transverse or weftthreads to be freed and pulled through the spaces between the combteeth.

What I claim and desire to secure by Letters Patent of the United Statesis:

l. A comb-cleaning device comprising a clamping frame for use inconjunction with a strip of fabric having longitudinal or warp threadsand transverse or weft threads, said frame comprising means forsupporting the frame on a table, base or the like, and means to grip thefabric around its edges or along its borders with the middle partunsupported and spaced from said table, base or the like, so as tofacilitate the comb teeth being forced through said stretched andunsupported middle part between the threads of the fabric and cause saidthreads to encompass the teeth in contact therewith, with the transversethreads passing into the gaps or spaces between the said teeth.

2. A comb-cleaning device as in claim 1, in which the clamping framecomprises releasable means to free the fabric so as to facilitateremoval of the comb with the fabric attached thereto from the frame.

3. A comb-cleaning device comprising a lower frame member having a slotor opening therein across which a cleaning fabric strip can bestretched, an upper frame member adapted to clamp the fabric striparound or at its edges or along its borders in a stretched or tautcondition with the middle part unsupported, and having a slot or openinginto which the comb can be placed to force its teeth throughthestretched fabric at its middle and unsupportedpart.

4. A device as-in" claim 3 in which the upper frame member is'hingedatone end to the lower frame member and in which a clipor the'like isprovided at the other end to clamp the hinged upper member in closecontact along the length of the frame in order to secure the fabricstrip in a stretched or taut condition across the slot or opening, thelower frame member being slightly curved or convex, while the otherframe member is straightbut is deformable and thus adapted to conformwith the curved or convex form of the lower member when clamped in theclosed position.

6. A device as in claim 3, in which the lower frame member hasupstanding walls to form a channel serving to receive the upper member,which latter member has a thickened part adapted to enter the slot oropening in the lower frame member and itself having a slot or openingtherein to receive the comb so as to facilitate the teeth of the latterbeing pressed into the stretched fabric extending across the slot oropening.

'7. A device as'in claim 3, in which the fabric engaging surfaces of theframe members are roughened, serrated or similarly formed to increasethe grip on the fabric. Y 8. A method of cleaning a comb by employing afabric strip having longitudinal or warp threads and transverse or weftthreads, comprising the steps of stretching a fabric strip and holdingit in a taut condition to enable the comb teeth to be pressed betweenthe threads with the transverse threads passing between the teeth, anddrawing the applied strip over the back of the comb while breaking andseparating the transverse threads from the longitudinal threads alongone edge of the strip and one side of the back of the comb, and thuscausing these transverse threads first to be forcibly drawn down betweenthe comb teeth and then out at the side of the comb from between saidteeth with the dirt or the like which may have accumulated between theteeth.

9. A fabric strip for cleaning a comb, said strip having longitudinal orwarp threads and transverse or weft threads, which latter are positivelyheld to the longitudinal threads more securely at one side or edge thanat the other, to facilitate said transverse or weft threads at the saidother side or edge of the strip being separated or freed from thelongitudinal threads at that side or edge so that the freed ends of thetransverse threads can be drawn between the comb teeth when the strip ispulled or drawn over and past the back of the comb.

10. A fabric strip for use in cleaning a comb, said strip being foldedover at one edge so that the fold provides the requisite hold for thetransverse threads at the folded side or edge of the strip, said fabricstrip having longitudinal or warp threads and transverse or weftthreads, which latter are positively held to the longitudinal threadsmore securely at said folded side or edge than at the other, tofacilitate said transverse or weft threads at the said other side oredgeof the strip being separated or freed from the longitudinal threads atthat side or edge so that the freed ends of the transverse threads canbe drawn sideways between the comb teeth when the strip is pulled ordrawn over and past the back of the comb.

11. A fabric strip for use in cleaning a comb, said strip being foldedover so that the fold provides the requisite hold for the transversethreads at the folded side or edge of the strip, the fold providing twolayers of which the thread spacings are out of register so as toconstrict the opening through which the comb teeth can pass to ensureforcible contact with and around the comb teeth, said fabric striphaving longitudinal or warp threads and transverse or weft threads,which latter are positively held to the longitudinal threads moresecurely at said folded side or edge than at the other, to facilitatesaid transverse or weft threads at the said other side or edge of thestrip being separated or freed from the longitudinal threads at thatside or edge so that the freed ends of the transverse threads can bedrawn sideways between the comb teeth when the strip is pulled or drawnover and past the back of the comb.

FRED. D. HOGG.

